Jordan Stratford
Jordan Stratford (born 1966)[1] is a Gnostic priest and author of books on religion and spirituality. His contribution to the identification and definition of Gnosticism as a literary genre is oriented around the soteriological (salvific) role of gnosis (direct, firsthand experience) in any philosophical system or religious tradition.
His work has been cited in college course material (Haverford College.[2]) and in doctoral dissertations (Graduate Theological Foundation), and he was interviewed in a feature article on Gnosticism in 2006 in US News & World Report along with NT Wright and Dr. Marvin Meyer. Additionally he has been widely interviewed and featured on blogs and websites relating to Gnosticism, Esoteric Christianity, Paganism, New Religious Movements, and the Independent Sacramental Movement. In 2009 he was interviewed in the documentary "I'm A Witch... So What?"
He was ordained to the priesthood of the Apostolic Johannite Church in 2005, having received a Licentiate of Sacred Theology from St. Raphael the Archangel Theological Seminary. He serves on the board of directors for the Apostolic Johannite Church[3] and was the Rector of Regina Coeli (Queen of Heaven) Parish in Victoria BC Canada from the parish's inception to 2008.
His book Living Gnosticism (Apocryphile 2007) was reviewed by noted Pagan author Caitlin Matthews, Dr. Chas Clifton (editor of the Pagan academic journal The Pomegranate), Jennifer Emick of About.com, the Pagan newsstand publication PanGaia (Summer 2008) and The Gnostic journal (Spring 2009). The book is currently being produced as a feature documentary for broadcast.
In his private life, his career has included being an advertising Creative Director, filmmaker, screenwriter, instructor at Vancouver Film School and writer for CBC. He currently offers coaching services to authors, musicians, and visual artists[4].
Books
- 2007 - Living Gnosticism, Jordan Stratford, Apocryphile Press, 2007, ISBN 1933993537
Interviews
- The Gospel Truth: Why some old books are stirring up a new debate about the meaning of Jesus, Jay Tolson, US News & World Report, 10 Dec 2006.
- Aeon Byte Gnostic Radio Show, 8 December 2007
- Gnostic Friends Network, 2006
- The Green Triangle, interview with C. Derick Varn, September 2006
- @TMBCHR, 2005
Controversy
Stratford is a major proponent of the idea that Gnosticism has its origins in a pre-Christian, Pagan antiquity; a contention that is still being debated.[5]
Reviews
- Review of Living Gnosticism, PanGaia Magazine, Summer 2008.
- Review of Living Gnosticism, Chas Clifton, February 2008.
- Review of Living Gnosticism, The Gnostic, Bardic Press, n1, Spring 2009.
References
- ^ Personal bio
- ^ What is Gnosticism? Some Definitions, Anne McGuire, Haverford College.
- ^ AJC Governance Page
- ^ http://www.jordanstratford.com/
- ^ http://www.chasclifton.com/2008/01/review-living-gnosticism.html
External links
- The Apostolic Johannite Church Church Website